Tucked below the harbour bridge is a function venue which opens its doors to the public for a short season.

We came here because I was catching up with friends in the area and thought, where better to visit than my trusty local?

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A smart-casual restaurant that's just as it should be - with well-priced, hearty delicious meals made with care and attention.

A former radio shack is now home to an eatery with Spanish flair.

We came here because we'd driven past this place a couple of times recently and thought the tables in the front window looked like a great spot from which to watch the goings-on at Rocket Park across the road.

Our personable waiter eagerly helped us compile a selection of dishes that would answer our preferences.

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First impressions were less than promising but a Mt Eden eatery came through on the menu.

Dos Amigos promises a spicy night out but expectations are diluted by some lukewarm renditions of Mexican food.

Here is proof that diners should not judge a restaurant by its name.

We came here because we'd heard good things about this cute Mt Albert cafe which has expanded to offer a small (vegetarian) menu.

James is a new restaurant offshoot of Jamie Miller and Gisele Trezevant-Miller's Mint Kitchen Catering.

It is the attention to detail in Tiffin's food that elevates it above the rest.

Relocating down the street proves a successful move for an Auckland eating institution.

This may be the best thing to happen to Titirangi since the annual Going West literary festival.

We came here because we were keen to see what the new owners had done to this eatery.

Britomart gets a Gallic touch with a welcome new cafe/bistro.

Cazador is a game restaurant in the old-fashioned sense: if you bring in the spoils of your hunting trip, they will make it into dinner.

Libby Nicholson-Moon finds 10 of the best cafes for Sunday brunch.

Prego's fans are plenty and enthusiastic. And deservedly so.

Chef Che Barrington brings fine-dining technique to bear on the street-market food of Asia.

Sri Pinang deserves its reputation for excellent value moreish Malay fare.

Elegance and care are central to new-style Japanese eatery.

Viva welcomes a new standout to Auckland's dining scene.

We came here because we wanted somewhere we knew would have good food and good ambience. We had been here before and enjoyed it.

A neighbourhood restaurant is an affordable kind of place, it seems to me, where you drop in unannounced.

It seems Birkenhead is spoilt for choice when it comes to good coffee.

It's always a bit nerve-racking when an old favourite changes hands but thankfully this Grey Lynn tapas joint keeps it 'local'.